AUGUSTA — The man accused of killing Franco-American singer Jean-Paul Poulain last April was found mentally competent Monday to stand trial on a murder charge.

Mathiew D. Loisel, 22, of Augusta, is one of two men charged in the April 24 shooting death of Poulain. Shortly after the killing, Loisel was found not competent to assist in his own defense and sent to Riverview Psychiatric Center.

The competency ruling cleared the way for a day-long hearing in Kennebec County Superior Court to deal with pretrial motions.

Loisel's attorney, Charles T. Ferris, is seeking to exclude Poulain's identification of Loisel as the man who shot him.

Ferris also claims police violated Loisel's rights by continuing to question him after he said he didn't want to talk any more.

Also testifying Monday morning was WGME Channel 13 Portland news anchor Jeff Peterson who interviewed Loisel and codefendant Corey Swift, 19, in jail the morning after the shooting.

Loisel admitted being the triggerman on Peterson's tape and on a video and audio recording made by the jail.

The hearing, before Justice Donald H. Marden, continues this afternoon.